After weeks of previewing and speculation, the Baltimore Ravens (8-4) host the Philadelphia Eagles (9-2), at M&T Bank Stadium in a nationally televised contest on CBS. The Ravens have won eight of their last ten games, while the Eagles are riding a seven-game winning streak.
Baltimore currently sit a half-game out of first place behind 8-3 Pittsburgh in the AFC North, while Philadelphia holds a 2.5-game lead over 7-5 Washington in the NFC East standings.
With kickoff fast approaching, we’re looking at ten key matchups to watch.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 24: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Hurts has been locked in during Philadelphia’s seven-game winning streak, tossing 18 touchdowns and only one interception. Baltimore employs a physical and aggressive defense, and first-year coordinator Zach Orr will want to bring pressure to Hurts organically and with a few blitz packages. The biggest matchup will be how Hurts navigates Baltimore’s defense while exploring big plays.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (0) at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Barkley leads the NFL with a career-high 1,392 rushing yards (previously 1,312 with N.Y. Giants in 2022). He also leads the league in rushing yards per game (126.5), rushing average (6.2), and 100+ yard rushing games (seven, including five in the last six games). Barkley is 1st in rushing TDs of 20+ yards (5), 30+ yards (4), 40+ yards (3) and 70+ yards (2). Roquan Smith (110 tackles) returns to this game and matches up with Barkley on running plays and in the passing game.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
If DeVonta Smith cannot play, it will take some luster off the Eagles’ passing game, but A.J. Brown is still the most important weapon on the roster. His physicality could be too much for Nate Wiggins, while Brandon Stephens has struggled in coverage.
Sep 16, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Lamar Jackson’s 23-1 record in games started vs. the NFC, marking the best-ever interconference winning percentage (.958) by a quarterback in NFL history. Jackson has thrown 40 touchdowns and just nine interceptions in these 24 starts, also rushing for nine scores. He’ll match up against longtime defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who’ll employ schemes that force Jackson to be patient and make efficient throws.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 14: Jordan Mailata #68 of the Philadelphia Eagles blocks Dante Fowler Jr. #6 of the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 14, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Baltimore has gone 50 Consecutive games with at least one sack, marking the NFL’s longest active streak. The 50-game stretch also stands as the longest streak in franchise history and ties for the 11th-longest streak in NFL history. The Eagles tackle duo of Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson will test that streak on the outside.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) runs past Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat (19) on a scramble during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images
Sweat leads the Eagles with 7.0 sacks after registering QB takedowns in six of the last eight games. Since Week 4, Sweat ranks T-6th in the NFL with 7.0 sacks, trailing only Dante Fowler (8.0) in the NFC. He’ll mainly face off against Baltimore’s talented left tackle Ronnie Stanley.
Nov 25, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball against Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still (29) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Derrick Henry is second in the league in rushing behind Saquon Barkley with 1,325 yards (6.0) and is averaging 3.9 yards after contact per attempt and 2.0 yards over expected per rush, per NFL NextGen Stats. The Eagles are now 24th in missed tackles this season with 56, according to Stathead. Baun is just the third NFL player since 1999 to post 100+ tackles (104, T-6th in NFL), 3+ FFs, 2.0+ sacks, 1+ INT and 1+ FR through 11 games, joining Shaquille Leonard (2018) and Jerod Mayo (2012).
Philadelphia has loaded the box at the 7th-lowest rate in the NFL this season (41.2%), while the Ravens has seen the 4th-highest rate of a loaded box. Henry has a league-high 886 yards on outside runs this season to lead the NFL. How Dean and Baun deal with Henry and Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard will be telling.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. (3) celebrates with linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) after Dean sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (not pictured) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images
With Brandon Graham ruled out for the season, Smith and the Ravens rookie right tackle offer the most intriguing matchup.
Rosengarten has allowed 3 sacks and 24 pressures this season, per ProFootballFocus. According to NextGen Stats, Rosengarten has allowed a 13% pressure rating, which is the 4th-highest in the NFL among right tackles with at least 150 pass blocking snaps. Smith has posted sacks in multiple games this season, and he’s posted 14 QB hurries in 143 pass rush snaps.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 24: Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams runs after a catch against Isaiah Rodgers #34 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Eagles released their final injury report for the week, and star cornerback Darius Slay will be inactive after missing practice due to a concussion.
Slay has not practiced since leaving the win over the Rams with a head injury and will likely be replaced in the lineup by Isaiah Rodgers. Quinyon Mitchell doesn’t travel, meaning Zay Flowers will have plenty of one-on-one opportunities that don’t involve the Eagles’ star rookie.
CINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 27: Cam Jurgens #51 of the Philadelphia Eagles prepares to snap the ball during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Madubuike has six sacks on the season, along with 29 QB hurries, and 41 QB pressures on 433 pass rush snaps. It’ll be on Jurgens to neutralize the Ravens monster defensive tackle.
